42. Babys Name Revealed
The warmth of the morning sun slowly made Shivika stir in her sleep. Her body still felt heavy and sore, craving the rest like it had been denied for so long. Almost instinctively, her hand moved across the mattress, searching for the familiar warmth beside her.
But there was no one.
She frowned sleepily and opened her eyes.
"Aksh?"
She turned to the other side, only to find the little space where their daughter had been sleeping empty as well.
A small smile immediately appeared on her face.
Rakshit must have woken up and taken their daughter outside, giving her the chance to sleep peacefully.
Shivika glanced towards the clock.
10:00 AM.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Ten?"
She couldn't remember the last time she had slept this long. Perhaps her body had finally demanded the rest it desperately needed after everything she had been through.
Before she could think any further, the bedroom door opened.
Rakshit walked inside carrying several bags in both hands.
"Aksh? What is all this?" Shivika asked, her voice still thick with sleep.
Rakshit looked at her and smiled.
"Good morning, Ika."
"Morning, Aksh."
The moment she raised her arms towards him, his smile grew softer.
He placed the bags on the bed and walked straight towards her. Bending down, he wrapped his arms around her carefully, mindful of her stitches, and held her close.
"Good morning," he whispered again.
Shivika rested her cheek against his chest for a moment, enjoying the warmth she had been searching for in her sleep.
Rakshit gently kissed her forehead before pulling away.
Rakshit picked up the first bag and began taking things out.
"This is everything I ordered for you for your recovery."
Shivika's eyebrows furrowed as item after item appeared on the bed.
A sitz-bath basin.
Peri bottle.
Maternity pads.
Perineal cold packs.
Comfortable high-waisted cotton underwear.
Nursing bras.
Breast pads.
Healing spray.
A gentle, fragrance-free body wash.
Nipple cream.
And several other little things she had never even heard of.
Shivika stared at the growing collection with complete confusion.
"Aksh..."
"Hmm?"
"You know I don't even know why half of these things are used."
Rakshit looked at her as though that was the least concerning thing in the world.
"And?"
"And I don't know how they're going to help me either!"
He smiled.
"I am here to tell you everything. You just have to listen to me and take care of yourself so your stitches heal properly."
His fingers gently brushed against her cheek.
"No rushing around. No pretending you're fine when you're not. No lifting anything heavy. And most importantly, no ignoring your body."
Shivika looked at him for a few seconds before shaking her head with an amused smile.
"You're seriously something else, Aksh."
"I know."
She laughed softly and picked up one of the packets, examining it curiously.
Rakshit suddenly remembered something.
"Wait. I have more bags outside."
"More?"
Before she could process that, he was already walking towards the door.
"Aksh, wait. Where is the baby?"
Rakshit stopped and looked back.
"She is with Rashmi aunty."
Shivika immediately relaxed.
"Aunty said we should also call someone who knows how to massage babies properly. She said it helps with their muscles and movement. But I told her to discuss it with you first because I don't know much about that."
Shivika nodded.
She had seen babies in her own family being given gentle oil massages, so the suggestion wasn't unfamiliar to her.
"Okay. I will talk to her about that."
Rakshit disappeared outside.
A moment later, he returned carrying four more bags.
Shivika's mouth fell open.
"Aksh!"
He placed them on the bed.
"How much did you order?"
Rakshit looked completely unfazed.
"Actually, I ordered everything you and our daughter might need."
He began taking things out with the seriousness of someone presenting an important business proposal.
"Diapers. Wipes. Burp cloths. Muslin swaddles. Soft cotton clothes. Baby towels. Hooded towels. Changing mats. Diaper rash cream. Baby nail clippers. A thermometer. Gentle fragrance-free baby wash and shampoo. Baby lotion. A soft brush. Bibs. Nursing essentials..."
Shivika simply stared.
He picked up another bottle.
"I compared different brands before ordering these. I checked the ingredients, reviews, and whether they're suitable for a newborn. I didn't want to buy anything randomly."
She looked at him.
Then at the bed.
Then back at him.
There were things everywhere.
And somehow, in just a few hours, this man had managed to prepare for both her recovery and their daughter's needs.
"And," Rakshit added casually, "I ordered some skincare for you too."
Shivika blinked.
"Of course you did."
He nodded proudly.
"I compared those too."
She couldn't help but laugh.
"Aksh, let me freshen up first. Then you can give me a complete description about every single thing you've bought."
"Deal."
She slowly pushed herself off the bed.
Rakshit immediately extended his hand.
As they reached the washroom, Rakshit began arranging a few things inside.
"And don't forget your sitz bath."
Shivika looked at him.
"Morning and night?"
"Yes."
He picked up the basin.
"Use comfortably warm water, not hot. And since the doctor has advised your postpartum care, follow the instructions you've been given. Don't add anything extra."
Shivika nodded, listening carefully.
Rakshit continued, "I'll keep everything ready for you. You just take your time."
She stared at him for a moment.
"Aksh..."
"Hmm?"
"At this rate, I'm going to get mad."
He chuckled.
"You don't have to get mad. Just take care of yourself. Whatever else I can do, I'll do."
He gently touched her cheek.
"Your only job right now is to recover."
Her expression softened.
Rakshit finished arranging the things she might need and turned back towards her.
"Now, enjoy your time. Aunty and I will handle the baby. Don't hurry."
He cupped her sleepy face between his palms and kissed the tip of her nose.
Shivika smiled.
But then her expression changed.
"What if she gets hungry?"
There it was.
Mother's instinct.
Rakshit smiled knowingly.
"Ika, the bottle you filled with the breast pump is still unfinished. If she cries, we'll give her that, and by the time she finishes, you'll also be out. So just relax and give some time to yourself."
Rakshit gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
Shivika hummed, looking at him.
"Now, should I go?" Rakshit asked, but the way he looked at her made it seem like he had forgotten what he was supposed to do next.
Shivika was about to hum in response when a mischievous thought crossed her mind.
"No," she said, trying hard to keep a straight face. "I think you should help me with my bath."
Rakshit's eyes widened.
"Ika... but... how can... I mean... I... don't... I..."
He took two steps backwards, completely flustered.
Shivika bit her lower lip, desperately trying to control the laughter bubbling inside her.
The way he had immediately stepped back and the fact that he couldn't even look her in the eyes told her something she already knew.
Yes, they were married.
Yes, they were in love.
But there were still things that would take time.
"Aksh, relax. I was joking," she finally said, placing her hands on his arm.
His endless mumbling stopped.
He looked at her, taking a breath as though he had forgotten how to breathe for a few seconds.
"I just... I..."
"Shhh." Shivika smiled and placed her palm over his heart. "Take a deep breath."
She gently rubbed his chest.
Rakshit closed his eyes, slowly calming down. His arms instinctively found their way around her waist, and he rested his forehead against hers.
"I don't know. I just panicked when you said it so suddenly," he admitted, his voice quieter now.
"I know." Shivika smiled. "I only said it to tease you. I know we both still need some time to reach there."
Rakshit hummed.
"Yeah. I also didn't imagine I'd react like this."
Shivika simply smiled at him before leaning forward and kissing his cheek.
"Now relax and go. She started crying."
Their daughter's cries reached them from outside.
Rakshit immediately looked towards the door.
"I love you," he said quickly, kissing Shivika's cheek before rushing outside.
Shivika chuckled.
"Crazy man."
She shook her head fondly and continued with her morning routine.
Outside, Rakshit found Rashmi aunty standing with the baby in her arms, gently trying to calm her.
"Give her to me, Aunty."
He carefully took his daughter into his arms and began walking slowly around the living room.
"Shhh... princess, Papa is here. Shhh..."
The baby's cries slowly softened at the sound of his voice.
"Stop crying. Papa doesn't like it when you cry."
Her tiny face scrunched up, her lips still puckered as if she was deciding whether to continue crying.
Rakshit smiled.
"Stop scrunching your face like that. I just went to help your mumma."
He bent down and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead.
Almost immediately, her little face relaxed.
Her puckered lips slowly settled, and the crying stopped.
Rakshit smiled at his daughter.
"That's my girl."
He adjusted her carefully against his chest and continued walking around the room, quietly talking to her as though she understood every word.
And perhaps, in her own tiny way, she did.
Rashmi aunty immediately began preparing the things Rakshit had asked her to. Though, even if he hadn't said anything, she would have done the same. She had already decided what Shivika would need during her recovery.
She began preparing dry-fruit ladoos, packed with the nourishment and energy her body needed after delivery.
Meanwhile, Rakshit carefully settled the baby girl in the bedroom. She had been awake for quite some time, and he knew she would probably fall asleep soon. Once he was sure she was comfortable, he walked towards Rashmi aunty to help her.